Buying a Skid Steer Loader? 5 Things to Know Before You Choose the VOER S390

Practical buying tips for compact skid steer loaders - specs that matter, power options, attachments and the checks to run before you order.

A skid steer loader is one of the most useful machines you can add to a small fleet: it turns tight spaces into productive work areas, and it handles jobs that would otherwise take a crew and a wheelbarrow. But the category is also easy to get wrong, because two machines that look similar can differ a lot in weight, capacity, power and running cost.

This guide uses the VOER S390 - a 1,050 kg compact skid steer loader with a 0.12 m3 bucket and a 200 kg rated load - as a practical example. Here are the five things worth checking before you buy any compact skid steer.

1. Start With the Jobs, Not the Machine

Before comparing models, list what the machine will actually do in a normal week. The S390 is designed around three situations the manual highlights: narrow sites, uneven ground, and tasks that change frequently.

If most of your work is heavy digging and lifting, a larger frame class is the better buy. If your work is varied, frequent and space-limited, a compact skid steer like the S390 fits the pattern the machine was built for.

2. Learn the Four Numbers That Decide Everything

Most buying mistakes come from four specifications. Bigger is not automatically better - balance matters.

Read them together: a 1,050 kg machine with a 200 kg rated load is a compact, transport-friendly package. If you need to lift more per cycle, you need a bigger class - not a bigger bucket on a small frame.

3. Choose the Power Option That Matches Your Site

The S390 is offered with more than one power source, and this choice affects noise, ventilation and where you can work.

Both configurations are built around the same chassis, hydraulics and bucket, so the decision is really about your site conditions. Ask for battery runtime and charging details if you choose electric, and confirm fuel consumption figures for the gasoline versions - these are not published on the spec sheet.

4. Check the Components and What Comes With the Machine

Two machines with the same numbers can still feel very different in daily use. On the S390, the factory highlights three items worth inspecting on any compact loader:

• Engine and drive package. The gasoline configuration shown in the manual uses a B&S engine.

• Hydraulic system. A high-flow dual pump, which is what gives a small machine usable cycle times (the manual quotes a combined 9-second work cycle for three functions).

• Tyres and structure. Reinforced engineering tyres, plus a heavy-gauge steel body with spray coating for rust and corrosion resistance.

Ask what is included before you compare prices: bucket, hydraulic lines, spare filters, tool kit, and whether attachments you plan to use are available for the same frame.

5. Verify Certification, Support and Delivery

Certification and after-sales are the two areas where cheap machines become expensive.

• Emissions and certification. EPA and EURO 5 are stated for the S390, with CE marking. Confirm which certification applies to the power option and the market you will operate in.

• Parts and service. Ask about filter, hydraulic and wear-part availability, typical lead times, and who supports the machine in your region.

• Transport. At roughly 1,050 kg and 2,400 mm long, plan a trailer or truck bed that can take the machine plus attachments.

• Documentation. Operation manual, spec sheet, certification documents and warranty terms should all be provided with the order.

Safety note: Never carry passengers in the bucket or on the machine. Keep the bucket low while travelling, work within the rated climbing limit, shut the engine down before any maintenance, and keep bystanders clear of the working area. Operate only according to the manual.

Who the VOER S390 Suits

FAQ

Is the VOER S390 a ride-on machine?

The S390 is a compact skid steer loader in the 1,050 kg class. Confirm the operator platform configuration and controls with VOER for the exact version you order.

What can a 0.12 m3 bucket move?

It is designed for soil, gravel, sand, debris and similar loose material. Production depends on material type, travel distance and operator technique.

How much can the S390 carry?

The rated load is 200 kg, with a 300 kg maximum. Rated load is the number to plan around for daily work.

Electric or gasoline - which should I choose?

Choose electric for indoor, enclosed or noise-sensitive sites; choose gasoline for outdoor work and locations without charging infrastructure. Confirm runtime and consumption figures with VOER.

How fast does it travel?

0-6 km/h, which suits yard, site and facility work rather than road transport.

What climbing ability does it have?

The manual states 25 degrees. Load, surface and tyre condition all affect real climbing performance.

Where is the VOER S390 built, and what certifications does it carry?

EPA and EURO 5 are stated, with CE marking. Ask VOER for the certification documents that apply to your configuration and market.

What should I confirm before ordering?

Power option, bucket and attachment configuration, certification documents, spare-parts support, warranty terms, delivery and the exact machine dimensions for transport.

Summary

A compact skid steer loader earns its place when it matches your work: tight access, frequent task changes and steady material handling. The VOER S390 packages a 1,050 kg chassis, a 0.12 m3 bucket, a 200 kg rated load and a choice of electric or gasoline power into a machine that is easy to transport and simple to put to work.

Buy on the four numbers, choose the power option that fits your site, inspect the components, and verify certification and support before the order is placed. Specifications and availability can change, so confirm the current configuration, certification and delivery details with VOER before you buy.